Sand in my shoe: Homestead days in Twentynine Palms

by Helen Bagley

Book by Bagley, Helen

Genres: Nonfiction

268 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helen and Frank Bagley are my great grandparents. Helen even signed my copy of the book, just months before she passed in 1988, at age 91.

In this book Helen relates a truly unique pioneer experience. The Mojave Desert in the 1920's was truly one of the last frontiers of the United States. Though times were tough, the Bagleys made a truly beautiful life for themselves there. Some of Helen's stories are simply amazing. She writes vividly of the many characters she encountered in the untamed sands. Many of them seem almost fictional. Often you wish she would tell you more about certain events or people, but what she relates is rich with a special sense of humor which no doubt got her through the rougher moments of desert pioneer life. Helen's stream-of-consciousness narratives style almost makes it feel as if you are sitting and listening to your grandmother telling stories. The pictures in the book add wonderfully to her descriptions. It may be helpful to pull up a Google map of Twentynine Palms as you read; most of the roads and some of the landmarks still have the same names. I personally wish the book was twice as long! (If you find yourself wanting more also, try hunting down a copy of The Desert Was Home, by Elizabeth "Betty" Campbell)

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Epilogue:

I felt like the book ends rather suddenly, without much wrapping up. So for those of you who are curious, I'll share a bit about what happened to Bagley clan in later years. Frank and Helen, as to be expected, lived in Twentynine Palms for the rest of their lives, Frank passing in 1981 and Helen seven years later. They are honored by a mural near the Plaza and their old store, which still serves it's original function. John was married several times and amassed a large and loving family before passing away in 1992. Alan graduated from Cal Tech and married a young woman from Twentynine, named Elizabeth. They had three children, including my mother. Alan also attended Stanford graduate school and was an engineer and inventor at Hewlett-Packard, during its early years. He's still going strong at age 87 and organizes a Bagley family reunion almost every year in the form of a picnic in Joshua Tree National Monument. With his sharp mind, deep voice, strong hugs and rambunctious sense of humor, he's the best grandpa a girl could ever wish for. Denny passed fairly young, but heroically, at age 42 while attempting to rescue someone from a deadly desert flash flood. His son Jim, lives in Twentynine Palms in Helen's old house, and is a commercial pilot and aviation instructor. He is also a real estate broker, so look him up if Helen's book has made you long for the high desert!

[Devon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am understandably biased because my great-grandmother wrote this book. That said, this is a wonderful book for understanding the pioneers of the West's last frontier. The best part about the entertaining and unique characters in this book is that they were all real people and their incredible stories really happened. Worth the read whether you're a friend of Twentynine Palms or a lover of history.

[Marieta Grissom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helen Bagley takes readers through the early days of Twentynine Palms, California (late 1920s thru the 1940s) on the edge of what eventually became Joshua Tree National Park. She and her husband opened a general store in a corner of a garage which doubled as their home. Times were tough but they were tough and succeeded, slowly expanding their merchandise and their services, as needed by their neighbors and friends and as the settlement grew to a town. Without their store, area residents had to travel at least 60 miles for even the most basic needs.

Ms. Bagley has a gift for telling stories and shares many experiences of the people who shopped in their store and who lived in the extended area.

Very enjoyable read from a different perspective than the frequent homesteader story.

[Alayna Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twentynine Palms holds a special place in my heart, as I eloped there and my husband and I return as frequently as we can for special occasions. Reading Helen Bagley’s stories are so insightful and inspiring.

As mentioned in a previous review the book does end rather abruptly, but I found a few lines at the end to be so thought provoking and self-reflective in a way I had not quite considered before. It was a great way to leave the reader thinking about how our communities grow and change over time and what “progress” looks like to different people.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was given to me be a resident of 29 palms California. Loved the story telling way it was written with details to place you in the time and place. First half of the book I flew through and loved hearing the Bagley family story. 2nd part of the book describing other people was slower for me.

[Sami G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as I’m from 29 palms and found is fascinating to learn about my home town. I could see that it wouldn’t be AS interesting for someone not from the area but still a good book to read if you’re interesting in homesteading or American life in the 1920-40s.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though this book was written by an amateur writer, the story of homesteading in the high desert of California is filled with memorable stories and characters.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

the story of Helen Bagley of Portland, Oregon. In 1927 she moved with her husband Frank, suffering from asthma, two little boys and a baby to the Southern California high desert community of 29 Palms. The Bagleys, as early homesteaders, opened the area's first grocery store. For desert lovers, Helen's story of a pioneer woman makes an interesting and unusual read.